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Open Chest Removal of Pacemaker Wires

Washington rates for HCPCS 33238

Removal of the permanent wires that run from a pacemaker to the heart, done by opening the chest to reach them directly. This route is used when the wires cannot be taken out by simpler means, for example because scar tissue has locked them in place. The battery unit itself is dealt with separately.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Open Chest Removal of Pacemaker Wires cost?

$2,188

Typical facility fee. In Washington, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $2,188 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $1,738 to $4,677.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $2,188 · 10th to 90th $1,202 to $17,783
$1.0K$2.0K$5.0K$10.0K$20.0Kfacility $2,188

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$2,398.83
Typical High
$18,620.87
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,148.15
Median
$2,041.74
Typical High
$2,570.40
Pacific Source
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,318.26
Median
$1,778.28
Typical High
$1,905.46
Premera BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,258.93
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$1,288.25
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,122.02
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$5,754.40

Where Washington sits

The same service costs 13.2 times more in Indiana than in North Dakota. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Washington $2,188 · 34th of 49
IN $12,023ND $912

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.